[Pokémon: Milotic (Shiny)]
Type: Water
Category: Tender Pokémon
Ability: Marvel Scale (When affected by a status condition, Marvel Scale reacts and sharply increases Defense)
Moves: …Safeguard (Beginner), Twister (Beginner), Recover (Beginner), Life Dew (Beginner), Disarming Voice (Beginner), Dragon Tail (Beginner), Aqua Tail (Beginner)
After Milotic carried Theo as they danced together through the air for a short while, the two gradually returned to the center of the stage.
The newly evolved Milotic gently fanned its tail fins, hovering serenely in midair above the stage.
The blue fins atop its head swayed softly with the flow of air like light silk ribbons, while the golden tail fins behind it traced smooth, gentle arcs as they moved. Every subtle motion exuded an indescribable elegance.
It was as if Milotic had been born to stand beneath the spotlight of the Pokémon Contest stage.
Theo's gaze fell upon Milotic's status panel, where the newly unlocked moves brought about by its evolution were clearly listed one by one: Safeguard, Twister, Life Dew—
Although all of them were currently only at the beginner level, the solid foundation Milotic had inherited from its days as Feebas—especially in Water-type moves, meant that with just a bit of practice, it would quickly become familiar with the use of these new moves.
At this moment, the bands of water vapor lingering across the stage had not yet fully dispersed.
Under Milotic's precise control, the fine droplets of water seemed to come alive, swirling gracefully around Theo and weaving together into a semi-transparent ring of water that encircled his body.
Theo slowly stepped forward toward the front of the stage, with Milotic following closely behind him.
With a light flick of its tail fins, the water ring suddenly burst apart, transforming into a curtain of mist that drifted toward the audience at the front of the stage, instantly triggering another wave of astonished cries from below.
In the very next second, a deafening roar swept across the entire venue. Applause erupted like rapid drumbeats, spreading from the first row all the way to the very last.
Some people excitedly tossed their hats into the air, others waved their glowing light boards with all their might, and some children sat atop adults' shoulders, swinging their chubby little hands and calling out "Milotic" in soft, childish voices.
The livestream chat had already plunged into a state of total celebration. Dense lines of comments piled up into a sea of light, scrolling so fast that it was almost impossible to make out individual messages:
"This shiny Milotic is just insane! Blue head fins with a golden tail—completely different from Champion Wallace's Milotic! A whole different kind of beauty!"
"I'm grabbing my fishing rod right now! Anyone who tries to stop me is my enemy! Feebas, here I come—Milotic, wait for me!"
"Hahahaha this is too real! My whole family is watching the stream—my mom just stuffed my dad's tackle box into his arms and told him not to come home unless he catches a Feebas!"
"I just shared this on the Trainer Forum and it's already blown up! Everyone's asking where you can fish for Feebas, hahaha!"
Just then, a comment marked with a special emblem streaked across the screen like a shooting star.
It was the gold-and-red title reserved exclusively for the League Champion, dazzlingly conspicuous amid the dense flood of messages and instantly capturing everyone's attention.
Wallace: Regarding the process and breeding details for evolving Feebas into Milotic, a complete guide will be released later on the League Network. The Pokédex will also be updated with the relevant information. Trainers interested in raising Feebas are advised to read it carefully before making a decision.
The moment this comment appeared, the livestream exploded completely. The already frantic chat became even more overwhelming:
"It's Champion Wallace! He's actually watching the stream!"
"There's going to be an official League breeding guide? Then I can try too! No matter how hard it is, I'm raising my own Milotic!"
"Same here! I'm going to raise my own Milotic and stand on the Contest stage someday too!"
Far away, inside the Gym in Sootopolis City, Wallace stood shoulder to shoulder with Juan and Robert, watching Theo's livestream projected on a large screen.
Seeing the passionate discussions in the chat, Wallace lightly tapped his fingers against the table, a trace of emotion in his voice. "Master, announcing Feebas's evolution method… I wonder if this decision is right or wrong. I just hope no one abandons Feebas because it's too difficult to raise…"
Robert added from the side, "If more people really succeed in breeding it, then Milotic probably won't remain a symbol unique to the Sootopolis Gym anymore."
"That's fine."
Juan smiled as he patted Robert on the shoulder. "Your senior brother Wallace is now the League Champion. Under his influence, Pokémon Contests have already been gaining more and more attention.
If more trainers can now devote themselves to Contests and raise their Pokémon with care, isn't that exactly what we've always hoped for?
Besides, Chairman Damascu has long been pushing for integration between Hoenn, Indigo, Sinnoh, and Kalos. Now that Wallace is the League Champion, we might as well use this Feebas Pokédex update as a starting point to open a good path for cooperation among the four regions.
Professor Oak has already started teaching remote courses at the newly established Pokémon Academy in Rustboro City. Since information sharing is inevitable, what harm is there in sharing Milotic's evolution data as well?
Pokédex data sharing is the general trend of the times."
"It's just that negotiations with the Alola region are still ongoing," Wallace added softly. "I've heard they have some concerns about Pokédex data sharing."
Juan stroked his chin, his smile relaxed. "No need to rush. I'm not in a hurry anyway. Being able to train two outstanding Contest Champions like you is already more than enough for me."
The scene shifted back to the Contest arena in Mauville City.
At the judges' table, all three judges raised their scoreboards at the same time.
Three bright red 10s gleamed brilliantly under the lights, as if stamping a perfect seal of approval onto this stunning evolution performance.
Mr. Contesta shook his head, unable to hide the admiration in his voice. "Guiding a Pokémon to evolve right on the Contest stage was already astonishing enough for me.
What's even more remarkable is the water-and-ice arch before the evolution—the fusion of flowing water and crystalline ice was exquisitely conceived, absolutely textbook-level creativity. I loved it."
Chairman Sukizo nodded vigorously, grinning from ear to ear. "I loved it! Absolutely loved it! Using ice crystals to form an arch—that symbolizes 'leaping the Dragon Gate,' doesn't it?
The Aurora performance at the Rustboro Contest last time already blew me away, and now you've brought us another surprise. Your ideas are incredibly captivating!"
Nurse Joy from Mauville City covered her mouth as she laughed softly, excitement sparkling in her eyes. "I'm so lucky! To witness Milotic's evolution with my own eyes—if Nurse Joy from Rustboro City knew about this, she'd definitely be stomping her feet in jealousy!"
Amid such an atmosphere of near-boiling enthusiasm, the performances of the contestants who followed inevitably seemed a bit overshadowed.
Most of the audience's thoughts were still lingering on Milotic's evolution. Discussions rippled endlessly through the stands, almost all revolving around the same keywords: "You go fishing a lot—do you know where Feebas can be caught? I want to try raising one too…"
"I wonder how it evolves, maybe it's like Magikarp evolving into Gyarados?"
"After the competition ends, let's go ask around and see if we can learn the secrets to raising Feebas."
At that moment, someone in the audience excitedly held up their phone and shared, "Look! I just captured Champion Wallace's comment in Theo's livestream! He said the full evolution conditions for Feebas will be announced later, and even the Pokédex is getting updated. I'm definitely going to raise a Milotic of my own!"
Amid these continuous, heated discussions, the first round of judging slowly came to an end.
Staff members busily tallied up the scores.
When the broadcast began reading out the list of contestants advancing to the second round, the entire venue fell instantly silent, all eyes fixed on the electronic screens on either side of the stage.
— Number 38, Laura — 29.7 points,
— Number 78, Kenta — 26.3 points,
— Number 79, Alisa — 24.5 points,
— Number 127, Theo — 30 points!
(End of Chapter)